Feb. 22, 2026, 10:38 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
The Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> would majorly leave their comfort zone if they attempted a tag-and-trade of defensive end Trey Hendrickson<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n But at this point, it might just be a necessity the Bengals<\/a> are forced to do.<\/p>\n Those Bengals, after all, have NFL free agency\u2019s top overall player and the ability to leverage his rights with a tag.\u00a0<\/p>\n Simple NFL logic says the Bengals will do just that, even if they\u2019re notoriously stubborn about avoiding modern things like trades after tags.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tony Pauline<\/a> of Essentially Sports is the latest to report around this topic:<\/p>\n Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWhile there have been several predictions where Hendrickson could sign in free agency, people with knowledge of the situation tell me that it\u2019s not out of the question that Cincinnati will attempt to tag and trade the nine-year veteran. Hendrickson will have to agree to a new contract with any team that attempts to trade for him if the Bengals move ahead on this strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED:6 Bengals veterans who won\u2019t be on Zac Taylor\u2019s roster next year<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cNot out of the question” is vague, but it\u2019s not hard to connect the dots at this point.<\/p>\n Hendrickson is 31. A tag would cost $30.2 million<\/a>. Not undoable for the Bengals by any means. He\u2019s coming off a serious injury and wants a massive long-term contract. These are factors that could hurt his market in free agency\u2026and make a trade difficult.\u00a0<\/p>\n Meaning, the Bengals might be looking at a situation where a tag-and-trade would only net them a third-round pick. Better than nothing at this point and a byproduct of botched contract talks with an All-Pro defender for years.<\/p>\n Other reporting has recently confirmed the Bengals will make a decision on Hendrickson<\/a> after talking with other teams around the NFL at the scouting combine this week.<\/p>\n